Chemical peels involve the use of a chemical exfoliant to remove the top layers of damaged skin and reveal new, more beautiful skin for a luminous and youthful appearance.
This procedure can be done to varying degrees. Medium and deep peels are typically the most successful in removing sun damage, age spots, wrinkles, acne scars, hyperpigmentation, oily skin and skin lesions.
Here are some things to keep in mind when considering whether a chemical peel is the right choice for you:
- Follow directions: After a peel, make sure you follow your doctor's instructions for optimal recovery and to protect your freshly exfoliated skin.
- Recovery time: For medium peels, your recovery time will last from one to two weeks. For deep peels, you should plan on healing for two to three weeks. Plan your procedure when you have a chunk of time you can use for relaxing and recovering alone, and remember that you won't be able to apply makeup for one to two weeks after.
- Results: You'll see the results of the peel once your skin has healed. Results aren't permanent, because skin continues to age as we do. However, applying sunscreen to your new skin daily and following your doctor's recommended skincare regimen can help maintain your glowing complexion, and positive improvements can be seen even a year after the procedure.
- Avoid the sun: You should be able to avoid the sun completely while your skin heals. This means total sun avoidance for three to six months after a deep peel. Otherwise, you'll risk damaging your new, sensitive skin and delaying post-peel results.
If you think a peel is right for you, explore our chemical peel options or contact our trusted plastic surgery clinic today. Dr. Marotta is a board certified facial plastic surgeon with years of experience working with specialized skincare techniques tailored to advanced exfoliation.
